Diahann Carroll American actress and singer Date of Birth: 17.07.1935 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career Breakthroughs
3. Broadway Triumph and Controversial Film Casting
4. "Julia" and Emmy Nomination
5. Oscar Nomination and Return to Drama
6. "Dynasty" and Primetime Soap History
7. Later Career and Emmy Nominations
8. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Harlem, Diahann Carroll exhibited an early passion for the performing arts, excelling in singing and dance. She attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan and made her television debut at age 18 on a game show on the now-defunct DuMont Network, winning the top prize of $1,000.

Career Breakthroughs

Carroll's big-screen debut came in 1954 with a supporting role in the musical "Carmen Jones," playing a friend of Dorothy Dandridge's titular character. She also made her Broadway debut around this time, appearing in the musical "House of Flowers." In 1959, she starred in the musical film "Porgy and Bess," though her singing was dubbed by opera singer Loulie Jean Norman.

Broadway Triumph and Controversial Film Casting

In 1961, Carroll co-starred with Sidney Poitier in "Paris Blues." Her next film role came six years later in the drama "Hurry Sundown." Meanwhile, Carroll achieved success on the stage, becoming the first Black actress to win a Tony Award for her starring role in the musical "No Strings." However, when the musical was adapted for the big screen, Carroll was denied the role in favor of white actress Nancy Kwan, prompting the NAACP to threaten to boycott Warner Bros. and lead to the film never being made.

"Julia" and Emmy Nomination

From 1968 to 1971, Carroll starred in the NBC sitcom "Julia," making her the first Black actress to lead an American television show in which her character was not a servant or maid. The role earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination in 1969.

Oscar Nomination and Return to Drama

After "Julia" ended in 1974, Carroll returned to dramatic roles, starring in the film "Claudine." For her performance, she received an Academy Award nomination, becoming only the fourth Black actress to be nominated for Best Actress.

"Dynasty" and Primetime Soap History

In 1984, Carroll joined the cast of the ABC primetime soap opera "Dynasty," playing Dominique Deveraux, the half-sister of John Forsyth's character and a nemesis to Alexis (Joan Collins). Carroll stated in an interview with People magazine after debuting on the show, "I want to be the first Black bitch on television." She debuted on the show on May 2, 1984, becoming the first Black actress to play a villain in a primetime soap opera. She appeared in 72 episodes before departing in 1987. Carroll also reprised her role in the short-lived spin-off "Dynasty II: The Colbys" on a recurring basis in 1985-86.

Later Career and Emmy Nominations

From 1989 to 1993, Carroll made recurring appearances on the sitcom "A Different World," earning another Emmy nomination. Her next significant role was in the syndicated series "Lonesome Dove" (1994-1995). In 1996, Carroll starred in the Canadian stage production of "Sunset Boulevard," and in 1997, she appeared in the film "Eve's Bayou" alongside Debbie Morgan and Jurnee Smollett. In subsequent years, Carroll continued her stage career and made guest appearances on such television shows as "Half & Half," "Strong Medicine," "Soul Food," and "Grey's Anatomy," for which she received an Emmy nomination. From 2009 to 2014, Carroll also made recurring appearances on the USA Network series "White Collar."

Personal Life

Carroll was married four times and gave birth to a daughter in 1960 with her first husband. She was engaged to Sidney Poitier in the 1960s, but they never married. Diahann Carroll successfully battled breast cancer and became an advocate for the cause.